Chest protector

ABSTRACT

Chest protectors (e.g., for use during motocross, or other high-speed motor sports) for protecting a rider from injury are provided. A chest protector is made with removable protective attachments that provide flexibility and has a low neckline, or removable neck attachment, to facilitate use of the chest protector with removable neck braces. In some implementations, the neck brace is be attached to the chest protector, e.g., using hook and loop fasteners.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC §119(e) of provisionalapplication No. 61/242,510, attorney docket number 73893-378923, filedSep. 15, 2009, and entitled “CHEST PROTECTOR,” the entire contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to personalprotective gear. In particular, various embodiments of the presentinvention relate to chest protectors.

BACKGROUND

Chest protectors are generally worn by motocross participants, “BMX”participants, participants in other active sports, as well as contactsport participants such as football, hockey and lacrosse. Traditionalchest protectors used for motocross are generally designed to protectthe participant's chest, back, shoulders, and clavicle from flyingdebris, from injury during a fall or crash, contact with otherparticipants, and the like.

Recently, new safety gear has been introduced to motocross and otheractive sports to better protect participants. One of the moresignificant safety devices that have been introduced in recent years areneck braces that protect the participant's head from high velocityforward movement (i.e. toward the chest) and rearward movement (i.e.toward the back), which are a leading cause of spinal and head injuries.These neck braces include structure that extends downwardly from theneck along the upper chest and upper back to support the neck and limitmovement. Commercially available neck braces are sold, for example, byAlpinestars and Troy Lee Designs (under the brand name “LEATT”).

Unfortunately, conventional chest protectors are not necessarilycompatible with these neck braces. In particular, the use ofconventional chest protectors in combination with these neck braces maycause the neck brace to not fit properly due to the positioning of theextending structure relative to the chest and back shields included onmany chest protectors, and/or due to the presence of clavicle orshoulder caps that interfere with structure on the neck brace intendedto rest on the clavicle of the participant. This, in turn, may cause theneck brace to rest too high on the participant and/or cause the chestprotector to fit improperly or uncomfortably to accommodate the neckbrace extensions.

The result is that participants have either opted not to wear either thechest protector or the neck brace, or have worn both in an ill-fittingmanner. In either case, the safety and/or comfort of the user may beimpacted.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments of the present invention relate to chest protectorsparticularly for use in high-speed motor sports (e.g., motocross) orother activities to protect the participant from impact with otherparticipants and/or objects.

Some embodiments provide for an impact protection device with aprotective harness and a base chest plate. The protective harness isoptionally configured to fit around an upper body of a user. In someembodiments, the protective harness includes a shoulder yoke. Theprotective harness optionally includes one or more releasable latchesand straps, or other fastening means, used to secure the protectiveharness to the upper body of the user.

The base chest plate is optionally attached to a front portion of theprotective harness. In some embodiments, the base chest plate has aneckline configured to facilitate attachment of a removable neck brace(e.g., a LEATT® brace) to the protective harness. For example, variousembodiments include base chest plates that have a low-neck line to allowfor integration of removable neck braces. Examples of the types oflow-neck lines include, but are not limited to V-shape necklines andU-shape necklines, although other configurations are contemplated, suchas square necklines or polygonal necklines, for example.

The removable neck brace is optionally attached to the protectiveharness to provide additional protection to the user. For example, insome embodiments, the removable neck brace limits tilting movements of ahelmeted head of the user in some directions (e.g., anterior-posteriorand/or medial-lateral directions) or in all directions.

One embodiment provides an impact protection device including a harnessconfigured to be worn over clavicles or shoulders of a user; aprotective chest portion attached to a front portion of the protectiveharness; and a protective back portion attached to a rear portion of theharness, the chest and back portion defining a neck opening. Theprotective chest and back portions each include a channel sized andshape to removably receive respective front and back portions of a neckbrace that extend downwardly over an upper portion of the chest and backwhen worn by the user such that the neck brace forms a nesting fit withthe front and back portions of the chest protector.

Another embodiment provides an impact protection device comprising aharness configured to be worn over clavicles or shoulders of a user; aprotective chest portion attached to a front portion of the protectiveharness; and a protective back portion attached to a rear portion of theharness, the chest and back portion defining a neck opening. At leastone of protective chest and back portions include a cut-out region alongthe neck opening, the cut-out regions being sized and shaped toremovably receive a respective front or back portion of a neck bracethat extends downwardly over an upper portion of the chest or back whenworn by the user such that the neck brace forms a nesting fit with thefront or back portion of the chest protector.

A further embodiment provides a protective chest portion adapted to beattached over a chest of a user; a protective back portion adapted to beattached over a back of the user, the chest and back portions defining aneck opening; and a neck brace including front and rear portions thatextend downwardly over an upper portion of the chest and back of theuser. The protective chest and back portions each include a channelsized and shaped to removably receive respective front and back portionsof a neck brace that extend downwardly over an upper portion of thechest and back when worn by the user such that the neck brace forms anesting fit with the front and back portions of the chest protector.

Still another embodiment of the present invention includes a harnessconfigured to be worn over clavicles or shoulders of a user; aprotective chest portion attached to a front portion of the protectiveharness; a protective back portion attached to a rear portion of theharness; and protective rib portions attached the chest or back portionsat a flexible joint. All previously described features may also beincluded in this embodiment.

Methods of making and using each of the foregoing embodiments is alsoprovided by the invention.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of thepresent invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description, which shows and describes someillustrative embodiments. As will be realized, the invention is capableof modifications in various aspects, all without departing from thescope of invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed descriptionare to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are described and explainedthrough the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate a front view and back view, respectively, of anexemplary chest protector in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the chest protector shown inFIG. 1 a-1 b.

FIG. 3 illustrates a neck brace suitable for use in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate front and rear views of the chest protector ofFIGS. 1-2 in combination with a neck brace.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the chest protector and neckbrace shown in FIGS. 4A-4B.

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate a front view and back view, respectively, of anexemplary chest protector in accordance with other embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the chest protector shown inFIGS. 6 a-6 b.

FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate front and rear views of the chest protector ofFIGS. 6-7 in combination with a neck brace.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the chest protector and neckbrace shown in FIGS. 8A-8B.

The drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, thedimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be expanded orreduced to help improve the understanding of the embodiments of thepresent invention. Moreover, while the invention is amenable to variousmodifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have beenshown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detailbelow. The intention, however, is not to limit the invention to theparticular embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention isintended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternativesfalling within the scope of the invention as described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will beapparent, however, to one skilled in the art that embodiments of thepresent invention may be practiced without some of these specificdetails.

Various embodiments of the present invention generally relate topersonal protective gear, such as chest protectors. As used herein, theterm “chest protector” includes a device that when worn covers a portionof a torso of a user (not shown), including a front (anterior) and/orback (posterior) portion of the user. The torso of the user generallyincludes the upper body (e.g., neck, shoulders, chest, abdomen, upperback, and lower back. Though chest protectors generally are worn on thetorso, chest protectors according to some embodiments also includeextensions and/or other features for protecting the groin, buttocks,thighs, and/or other portions of users. In some uses, chest protectorsare worn underneath clothing (e.g., a jersey or enduro jacket) or on topof clothing during motocross, or other high-speed motor sports toprotect a rider from injury.

In some embodiments, a chest protector is made with dense foam thatprovides flexibility that facilitates movement of the user through adesired range of motion. The chest protector optionally includeshardened areas (e.g., portions formed of durable polycarbonate,plastics, nylon, or other materials formed by injection molding or otherappropriate methodology) to protect the rider from impacts with theground, flying debris, other riders, stationary objects (e.g., treebranches, barricades, rocks, etc). Additionally or alternatively,various portions of the chest protector are formed of dense foam. Assubsequently described, in some embodiment, the chest protector isadapted to have auxiliary protection components added or removed from abase unit, the chest protector defining an assembly formed of multiplepieces that facilitate specialization for particular uses and/oraccording to user preferences.

In some embodiments, the chest protector includes multiple connectionpoints that allow the user to add one or more removable protectiveattachments, also described as auxiliary protection components, to abase chest plate and/or protective harness, also described as a baseunit. Examples of removable protective attachments include, but are notlimited to, heart guard, neck brace, shoulder pads, shoulder caps, frontclavicle caps, back clavicle caps, lower back pads, extended backsections, extended rib sections, floating bicep protectors, lower backsections, and others. In some cases, one or more of these protectiveattachments may be more permanently affixed (i.e., not intended to beremoved by the user) to the base chest plate while others are intendedto be removable by the user. The chest guard may also include anintegrated back protection system and upper arm guards.

In some embodiments, the base chest plate is designed to allow forintegration with various styles of neck braces to limit movement of theuser's head. For example, some base chest plates have a low-neck linethat facilitates integration of the neck brace into the base chest plateas a protective unit. In some embodiments, the neckline of the basechest plate has a complementary shape to the neck brace so that the basechest plate and the neck brace fit together in a complementary fit.Examples of low-neck lines include, but are not limited to V-shapenecklines and U-shape necklines, although other shapes are contemplated.

In some embodiments, the chest protector includes an upper chest portionthat is removed from or not included with the base chest plate to createa low-neck line for receiving a removable neck brace. When the neckbrace is not being used, the user may reattach the upper chest portionto the base chest plate for additional protection. Examples ofacceptable neck braces include those available from Leatt Corporation,Inc., 26320 Diamond Place, Suite 130, Santa Clarita, Calif., 91350, aswell as those described in United States Patent Publication 2007/0010771to Leatt, entitled “Neck Brace,” (hereinafter referred to as “LEATT®neck braces”), which is incorporated by reference in its entirety forall purposes.

In some embodiments, the neck brace is attached to the protective deviceusing hook and loop fasteners, such as VELCRO®. In some embodiments, aloop strap with both sides made of the loop material of the fastener isattached to the neck brace or the protective device (e.g., on theharness or on a protective attachment). The loop strap is positionedbetween two fastener straps for a stronger connection than a single loopand single fastener.

FIGS. 1 a-1 b illustrate a front view and back view, respectively, of anexemplary chest protector 100 in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 a-1 b, chestprotector 100 includes a protective chest plate 110 and a protectiveback plate 120 that are attached via a harness 130, a portion (alsoreferred to as a yolk) of which is adapted to extend over theshoulders/clavicle of a user. A strap 135 extends around the ribs of auser and attaches to the front 110 and back 120 plates. The harness 130may include two separate portions extending along either side of auser's clavicles/shoulders, or it may be a loop extending around thefront and back as well as the clavicles/shoulders. The strap and harnessmay be connected with one or more vertical straps.

The chest plate 110 in one embodiment includes an upper chest portion140 and a lower chest portion 142. The back plate 120 includes an upperback portion 144, a middle back portion 145, a lower back portion 146and a lower back extension 147. In one embodiment, one or more of thesechest and/or back portions are removable. More particularly, the upperchest portion 142, upper back portion 144 and/or the middle back portion146 is removable. As explained in further detail herein, removing theseportions provides the chest protector with a modified neckline thatforms channels for receiving portions of a neck brace optionally worn inconjunction with the chest protector.

In addition to chest plate 110, back plate 120, the chest protector 100according to the illustrated embodiment includes clavicle caps 150 160,shoulder caps 170, rib guards 180 and rib extenders 190. As a matter ofclarification, the clavicle caps 150, 160 and shoulder caps 170 shown inboth the front and rear views of FIGS. 1 a-1 b (and other Figures)illustrate the same components. Overlap was shown to provide continuitybetween the views.

Some or all of the chest protector components referenced herein mayinclude an inner layer 195 (See FIG. 3) formed from a flexiblecompressible material such as a dense foam, and an outer layer formedfrom polycarbonate, nylon, and/or other plastics, although a variety ofmaterials are contemplated. The inner layer may be continuous throughoutthe chest protector or segmented corresponding to the various parts.

In accordance with various embodiments, one or more of the harness 130strap 135, upper chest portion 140, lower chest portion 142, upper backportion 144, middle back portion 145, lower back portion 146, lower backextension 147, clavicle caps 150, 160, shoulder caps 170, rib guards 180and rib extenders 190 may either be permanently attached (not meant forremoval by the user) or removably attached (meant for removal by theuser) to the chest protector 100. In one embodiment, each of theforegoing parts is independently attachable and removable to provide afully convertible chest protector 100. In other embodiments, some butnot all of the components are removable.

The various components may be attached by a variety of attachment means.The illustrated embodiments show a plurality of attachment points 192 bywhich many parts are attached. Suitable attachment points includescrews, nuts and rivets, snaps, buttons, press fit devices, press studs,poppers, buckles, zippers, clips, latches, hooks, D-ring system, nutsand bolts, hook and loop fasteners, straps, interference fit, and lockand key configurations for example.

The decision of which fastener configuration to utilize for a particularcomponent depends on the manner in which the component attaches to thechest protector. For example, rib guards 180 include a flexible jointconnection 194 to the chest plate 110 to allow the protector to wraparound the rib cage of a user. The flexible joint connection may beachieved by having discrete outer plates and an inner layer that iscontinuous across the chest and rib portions. Alternatively, theflexible joint may be formed by connecting the parts with a resilientflexible strap that is secured, for example at one or more connectionpoints 192 so that the flexible joint 194 is removable. Rubber materialssuch as various thermoplastic rubbers may be particularly suitable forform joint connection 194. Nylon, polypropylene, polyester, leather,elastics, and others may also be suitable. Similar joint connections 194may be formed between the shoulder caps 170 and the clavicle caps 150,160, rib guards 180 and rib extenders 190, and/or between lower backportion 146 and back extension 147.

In one embodiment, the harness 130 and strap 135 may be attached by oneor more additional vertical straps, which may extend along the front orback of the chest protector. This allows for the chest protector to fitsnugly to a user even if the lower back portion 146 is removed, forexample.

FIG. 3 shows a neck brace 300 that may be used in conjunction withvarious embodiments of the chest protector 100 described above.Commercially available versions of such neck braces are available fromTroy Lee Designs (the “LEATT”) and AlpineStars, amongst others.

Although different versions of such neck braces 300 are available, eachhave similar features including a front section 305, a rear section 310and clavicle sections 315, 320 that connect the front and rear sections305, 310. In various versions, the front section 305 further includes anupper flange 325 and a lower flange 330. The rear portion includes anupper flange 335 and lower extension 340. The clavicle sections 315, 320each include a support 338 in the illustrated embodiment.

An issue with conventional chest protectors is that the neckline (i.e.,the opening defined by the front, rear and clavicle portions of thechest protector) is not designed to accommodate such neck braces 300.For example, certain chest protectors push the neck brace 300 upwardlyvia contact between neck brace and chest protector, potentially reducingthe comfort and/or effectiveness of the brace. Even if the neck brace isproperly positioned, the chest protector then does not fit properly.

As further shown in FIGS. 4A-B and 5, the chest protector 100 of thepresent invention accommodates the neck brace 300. In one embodiment,the neckline and surrounding regions of the chest protector allowsportions of the neck brace 300 to nest with portions of the chestprotector 100. In the illustrated examples, the chest portion 110 and/orback portion 120 include a channel 410, 420 adapted to receive the frontsection 305 or rear section 310 of the neck brace.

For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the lower flange 330 on thefront section 305 of the neck brace nests in a channel 410 underneathupper front portion 140 while the upper flange 325 nests adjacent to orover upper front portion 140. In another example, the lower extension340 of the rear section 310 of the neck brace 300 nests underneath theupper back portion 144 of chest protector 100, while the upper flange335 rests over or adjacent the upper back portion 144. The channels havea complimentary shape to the lower flange 330 or lower extension 340 toallow nesting.

In the above embodiment, the channels 410, 420 include a cavitycorresponding generally to size and shape of the neck brace portionsshown in phantom into which the portions of the neck brace nest. Inanother example, the channels 410, 420 may be provided on an exteriorsurface of the chest and back portions. In a further example, thechannels 410, 420 may include sleeves into which the neck brace portionsreside. These sleeves may be formed between the rigid portion of thechest and back portions and the corresponding inner liner 195.Alternatively, a separate sleeve may be provided. These embodiments maybe particularly suitable for placement over a racing jersey.

For the sake of consistency, FIGS. 4A and 4B have been illustrated inthe same form as FIGS. 1A-1B so that the shoulder portions 170 andclavicle portions 150, 160 are visible. It will be appreciated from FIG.5 that the neck brace 300 actually rests on the clavicle portions, whenworn by a user.

In particular, the supports 338 of clavicle sections 315, 320 of theneck brace 300 are designed to rest on the clavicles/shoulder of a user.Depending on the configuration of the chest protection, the supports 338may rest on top of the clavicle caps 150, 160, and/or one or more of theclavicle caps 150, 160 can be independently removed such that thesupports 338 rest directly on the harness 130 (or padding sectionsdispose on the harness 130). Removal only of clavicle caps 160 may beparticularly suitable depending on the neck brace configuration.

FIGS. 6A-6B and 7 show various views of a chest protector 600, in whichthe rigid plate sections of upper front portion 140 and upper backportion 144 have been removed or are otherwise absent from theconfiguration. The inner liner 195 is still present as illustrated, butcould be removed if desired. The result is a neckline having channels inthe form of additional cut-out regions 610 and 612, into which the lowerflange 330 and lower extension 340, respectively, of the neck brace maynest. The cut-out regions 610 may form the shapes of a “V,” “U,”half-circle, half-square, or half-oval and a variety of other polygonalshapes, for example.

FIGS. 8A-8B and 9 show various views of the chest protector 600 incombination with the neck brace 300. In this embodiment, the lowerflange 330 nests substantially or entirely within the space defined bycut-out region 610 such that there is no overlap or reduced overlap withthe lower chest portion 142. The lower extension 340 nests substantiallyor entirely within the space defined by cut-out region 612 such thatthere is no overlap or reduced overlap with the middle back portion 145or lower back portion 146.

Due to the cut-out regions, the chest protector 600 may have a lowerthickness profile than other chest protectors and may be comfortableworn under a jersey even when used in combination with a neck brace.

Depending on the size and shape of the lower extension 140, and thepreference of the user, the middle back portion 145 may also be removedto further alter the neckline.

Some embodiments include attachment points with fastening means 810(shown schematically in phantom in FIG. 4B) for securing the neck brace300 to the chest protector 100. Some suitable fastening means include,but are not limited to, loop and fastener straps, snaps, straps,buttons, screws, press fit devices, press studs, poppers, buckles,zippers, clips, latches, hooks, D-ring system, nuts and bolts, hook andloop fasteners, fasteners, straps, and other mechanisms. Embodimentsthat include connections to the neck brace may be particularly suitableif a harness 130 is not desired. In this configuration, the strap 135and the neck brace 300 support the chest protector 100.

In some embodiments, neck brace 300 is connected to the chest protector100 using hook and loop fasteners such as VELCRO®. In some embodiments,a loop strap with both sides made of the loop material of the fasteneris attached to the neck brace 300 and/or the chest protector 100 (e.g.,on the harness 130 or on a protective attachment). The loop strap isoptionally positioned between two hook fastener straps making a strongerconnection than a single loop and single fastener would allow. Ofcourse, other hook and loop configurations are also encompassed by thepresent invention.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplaryembodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. For example, while the embodiments described above refer toparticular features, the scope of this invention also includesembodiments having different combinations of features and embodimentsthat do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, thescope of the present invention is intended to embrace all suchalternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope ofthe claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

1. An impact protection device comprising: a harness configured to beworn over the clavicles or shoulders of a user; a protective chestportion attached to a front portion of the protective harness; and aprotective back portion attached to a rear portion of the harness, thechest and back portion defining a neck opening; wherein the protectivechest and back portions each include a channel sized and shape toremovably receive respective front and back portions of a neck bracethat extend downwardly over an upper portion of the chest and back whenworn by the user such that the neck brace forms a nesting fit with thechest and back portions of the chest protector.
 2. The impact protectiondevice of claim 1 wherein at least one of the front and rear channelscomprises a cut-out region sized and shaped such that the front portion,back portion or both portions of the neck brace, when worn by the user,are nested in the cut-out region.
 3. The impact protection device ofclaim 1 wherein at least one of the front and rear channels comprises asleeve sized and shaped such that the front portion, back portion orboth portions of the neck brace, when worn by the user, are nested inthe sleeve.
 4. The impact protection device of claim 3 wherein at leastone of the chest and back portions of the chest protector includes aflexible inner liner, and wherein the flexible inner liner defines thesleeve.
 5. The impact protection device of claim 1 wherein at least oneof the front and rear channels comprises a cavity sized and shaped suchthat the front portion, rear portion or both portions of the neck brace,when worn by the user, are nested in the cavity.
 6. The impactprotection device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the chest and backportions of the chest protector includes a flexible inner liner and arigid outer plate, and wherein the channel is defined between the linerand the rigid outer plate.
 7. The impact protection device of claim 1wherein the protective chest portion includes an upper chest portion anda lower chest portion, and wherein at least the upper chest portion isremovably attached to the chest protector.
 8. The impact protectiondevice of claim 7 wherein when the upper chest portion is removed, thechannel comprises a cut-out region sized and shaped such that when wornby the user, the front portion of the neck brace is nested in thecut-out region.
 9. The impact protection device of claim 1 wherein theprotective back portion includes an upper back portion and a lower backportion, and wherein at least the upper back portion is removablyattached to the chest protector.
 10. The impact protection device ofclaim 9 wherein when the upper back portion is removed, the channelcomprises a cut-out region sized and shaped such that, when worn by theuser, the back portion of the neck brace is nested in the cut-outregion.
 11. The impact protection device of claim 1 wherein theprotective back portion includes an upper back portion, a middle backportion and a lower back portion, and wherein at least the middle backportion is removably attached to the chest protector.
 12. The impactprotection device of claim 11 wherein when the middle back portion isremoved, the channel comprises a cut-out region sized and shaped suchthat, when worn by the user, the back portion of the neck brace isnested in the cut-out region.
 13. The impact protection device of claim1 further comprising protective clavicle portions attached to theshoulder harness.
 14. The impact protection device of claim 13 whereinthe protective clavicle portions are removably attached to the shoulderharness.
 15. The impact protection device of claim 13 wherein eachclavicle portion includes discrete front and rear clavicle portionsremovably attached to the shoulder harness.
 16. The impact protectiondevice of claim 13 wherein at least the rear clavicle portion isremovable.
 17. The impact protection device of claim 13 wherein eachclavicle portion comprises a rigid outer plate
 18. The impact protectiondevice of claim 1 further comprising protective shoulder portionsattached to the shoulder harness.
 19. The impact protection device ofclaim 18 wherein the protective shoulder portions are removable.
 20. Theimpact protection device of claim 18 wherein the protective shoulderportions are attached to the shoulder harness at a flexible joint. 21.The impact protection device of claim 20 wherein the flexible jointcomprises a flexible material attached on one side to the shoulderportions and on the other side to the shoulder harness.
 22. The impactprotection device of claim 18 wherein the protective shoulder portionscomprise rigid outer plates.
 23. The impact protection device of claim 1further comprising protective rib portions attached to the protectivechest portion or the protective back portion.
 24. The impact protectiondevice of claim 23 wherein the protective rib portions are attached toopposing sides of the protective chest portion or the protective backportion.
 25. The impact protection device of claim 23 wherein theprotective rib portions are removably attached to opposing sides of theprotective chest portion or the protective back portion.
 26. The impactprotection device of claim 23 wherein the protective rib portions areattached to opposing sides of the protective chest portion at flexiblejoints.
 27. The impact protection device of claim 23 wherein theflexible joints comprise a flexible material attached on one side to theprotective chest portion or the protective back portion and on the otherside to the protective rib portions.
 28. The impact protection device ofclaim 23 wherein the protective rib portions comprise rigid outerplates.
 29. The impact protection device of claim 28 wherein theprotective rib portions further comprise protective rib extensionsflexibly secured to the protective rib portions.
 30. The impactprotection device of claim 29 wherein the rib extensions are removable.31. The impact protection device of claim 1 further comprising a lowerback extension attached to the protective back portion.
 32. The impactprotection device of claim 31 wherein the back extension is removable.33. The impact protection device of claim 1 further comprising means forconnecting the neck brace to the shoulder harness when the neck brace isworn by the user.
 34. The impact protection device of claim 33 whereinthe connection means are disposed on the protective chest or backportions.
 35. The impact protection device of claim 33 wherein theconnection means are disposed in the channel of the protective chest orback portions.
 36. The impact protection device of claim 33 wherein theconnection means comprise hook and loop fasteners.
 37. The impact deviceof claim 1 further comprising at least one horizontal strap for securingthe chest protector around the chest and back of the user.
 38. Theimpact device of claim 37 wherein the harness and strap are securedtogether by at least one vertical strap.
 39. An impact protection devicecomprising: a harness configured to be worn over the clavicles orshoulders of a user; a protective chest portion attached to a frontportion of the protective harness; and a protective back portionattached to a rear portion of the harness, the chest and back portiondefining a neck opening; wherein at least one of protective chest andback portions include a cut-out region along the neck opening, thecut-out region being sized and shaped to removably receive a respectivefront or back portion of a neck brace that extends downwardly over anupper portion of the chest or back when worn by the user such that theneck brace forms a nesting fit with the chest or back portion of thechest protector.
 40. The impact protection device of claim 39 whereinthe both the front and back portions of the chest protector includecut-out regions.
 41. The impact protection device of claim 39 whereinthe cut-out region is in the shape of a V, and U, a half-square, ahalf-circle or a half-oval or a polygonal portion relative to the neckopening.
 42. The impact protection device of claim 39 further comprisingone or more of clavicle portions, shoulder portions, rib portions, ribextensions or back extension.
 43. The impact protection device of claim39 wherein one or more of the clavicle portions, shoulder portions, ribportions, rib extensions or back extension are removable.
 44. An impactprotection device comprising: a protective chest portion adapted to beattached over a chest of a user; a protective back portion adapted to beattached over a back of the user, the chest and back portions defining aneck opening; at least one strap connecting the chest and back portions;and a removable neck brace including front and rear portions that extenddownwardly over an upper portion of the chest and back of the user;wherein the protective chest and back portions each include a channelsized and shaped that receives the respective front and back portions ofthe neck brace such that the neck brace forms a nesting fit with thechest and back portions of the chest protector.
 45. The impactprotection device of claim 44 wherein the channels comprise one of asleeve, a cut-out region and a cavity.
 46. The impact protection deviceof claim 44, wherein the back portion of the neck brace includes adownwardly extending column, the channel receiving the downwardlyextending column of the neck brace.
 47. The impact protection device ofclaim 44, wherein the neck brace is releasably attached to the chestprotector by fastening means.
 48. The impact protection device of claim44 further comprising a shoulder harness connecting the front and backchest plates.
 49. The impact protection device of claim 44, furthercomprising one or more removable protective attachments selected from agroup consisting of a shoulder cap, a front clavicle cap, a backclavicle cap, an extended back protector, and an extended rib protector.50. The impact protection device of claim 44, wherein the front portionof the removable neck brace includes an upper flange, a lower flange orboth.
 51. The impact protection device of claim 50 wherein the lowerflange nests in the channel.
 52. The impact protection device of claim50 wherein the lower and upper flanges nest in the channel.
 53. Theimpact protection device of claim 44 wherein the back portion of theneck brace includes a lower extension, and wherein the lower extensionnests in the channel.
 54. The impact protection device of claim 44wherein the neck brace further includes lower supports adapted tocontact a user's clavicles or shoulders, and wherein the chest protectordoes not include a protective portion clavicle or shoulder portion thatprevents contact between the lower supports and the user's clavicles orshoulders.